National Dish of Eritrea – Zigini with Injera

For Berbere Spice Blend

For Zigini

For Injera

Zigini is a very spicy meat stew that is considered to be the national dish of Eritrea. One of its key ingredients is Berbere, a famous blend of spices used in African cuisine. Zigini is traditionally eaten with a type of flatbread called Injera.

Directions for Preparing Zigini with Injera

For Berbere Spice Blend

1. In a shallow pan, roast the cardamom, coriander, ginger, fenugreek, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon on low heat for two (0:02) minutes.
2. Cool the roasted spices.
3. Add garlic, half of the salt, onion, and two tablespoons of water to the cooled spices, then mix and set aside.
4. Toast the chili pepper, white pepper, paprika, allspice, and remaining salt in a pan for one (0:01) minute.
5. Pour in the rest of the water, stir and let simmer for fifteen (0:15) minutes, then cool.
6. Pour the cooled berbere into a jar, top with a layer of oil, and store in the refrigerator.

For Zigini

1. Brown the beef cubes in a hot pan containing the oil.
2. Add onions and garlic.
3. After two (0:02) minutes, add the berbere.
4. Cook for an additional two (0:02) minutes and then add the can of tomatoes and its liquid.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then toss in the scallions.
6. Simmer on low heat for two (2:00) hours.
7. Add the cilantro and cook for an additional thirty (0:30) minutes.

For Injera

1. Blend all the ingredients except the salt for one (0:01) minute.
2. Sprinkle in the salt and blend for fifteen seconds.
3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for forty-eight (48:00) hours.
4. Heat a griddle or skillet to high heat.
5. Smear the griddle with a little oil.
6. Use a ladle to spoon the injera batter onto the griddle; it should resemble a pancake.
7. Cook for a minute or two, then flip.
8. Continue making the injera pancakes till there is no more batter. Serve the zigini stew with injera.